(Photo: The Score)
2023 Review: There was a time when I feared them. They had everything on both sides of the ball, but lately, it’s been a struggle to stay consistent. They dropped the ball right away with an upset loss to the Duke Blue Devils in week one last year. The Clemson Tigers were able to finish the 2023 season with a 9-4 record and closed out the year with a five-game winning streak. They were dominant on the defensive side of the ball and lived up to the expectations. On the offensive side, they weren’t bad, nor were they good, they were just in between. What hurt their offense was turning the ball over as much as they did, one turnover in each game to be exact. They also struggled to find a consistent threat at Wide Receiver. Some guys made a play or two here and there, but they never had that guy that Cade Klubnik could necessarily depend on.
Key Departures: DB Nate Wiggins, DT Ruke Orhorhoro, RB Will Shipley, EDGE Xavier Thomas, LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr, DT Tyler Davis.
2024 Prediction: There’s no other team outside them and Florida State who truly scares me in the ACC. It’s Clemson’s share of the conference to lose at this point as far as I’m concerned. Dabo Swinney and company must see more out of Cade Klubnik and they need him to take the next step. He will have his share of weapons such as receivers T.J. Moore and Bryant Wesco along with Tight End, and Christian Bentacur. I don’t expect this defense to drop off or struggle. You can almost pencil them in to be one of the best units in college football. We will see what Clemson is made of early on when they face the Georgia Bulldogs in week one to kick off the season.
